Barbados Crop Over Kadooment day was marked by dancing in the streets, lively music, many feathers, sequins, laughter, and smiles of celebration. I noticed a bit of alcohol flowing as well … but that goes with the territory. I snapped a few photos and put together the short video you see...

The roundabouts in Barbados are dressed up for Christmas, looking like colorful confetti strewn around the 14-by-21-mile island as a welcome to all who fly in at night.
Please, come with me on a tour of a few Barbados roundabouts … I had a ball taking these photos for you last evening (and am hoping...

Barbados celebrates her independence from Britain today with a parade at the Garrison, the day off from work, wearing of the colors of the Barbados flag, beach-going, and much discussion over whom the Queen knighted today (congratulations, Sir Branford). Across the island, the mood is mellow and happy.
Aunt...

When I moved to Barbados nearly three years ago, Christmas felt like an unnatural act. To a Yank from northern climes, Christmas is supposed to feel like … Christmas.
But with Barbados’ perfect Groundhog-Day climate, Christmas felt no different from Memorial Day from Independence Day from First...

In the town in which you live, imagine the police gently but firmly telling schoolkids to tuck their shirts in. It happens here in Barbados and is one reason I love this place. Decorum and deportment matter.
Everywhere in the world, citizens decry the increase in crime. This is true here in Barbados as well....

Prince Harry has previously visited Barbados for fun in the sun; right now, though, he’s here to raise funds for Haiti and Lesotho. If the Prince’s charm and naturally friendly nature translate into the raising of funds – and they will – this will have been a worthwhile visit for...

Today begins as any normal Saturday morning begins for Greg and me: we get up early and head up to the Brighton Farmers Market.
Once we arrive at the market, like we always do, we start our shopping with a cuppa joe. Plenty of milk in mine, please…
Then we buy some fresh eggs … Oh, yes,...

A Caribbean Christmas
When I was a kid growing up in Colorado, my father and brothers would go into the mountains and cut down a charmingly misshapen pine tree, tie it with rope to the top of the family station wagon, and haul it home. In snowy, mountainous Colorado it makes sense to have a fresh pine...

The water trampolines in the sea at the Boatyard feature Barbados' flag colors.
I awoke wondering about Barbados’ flag. (You say you didn’t? You must lead a more exciting life than I …)
Today is November 30, Independence Day here in Barbados and a national holiday. The entire island is...

The roundabouts throughout the island salute Barbados' Independence Day, this one by wrapping the trunk of a palm with the colors of the nation's flag.
In November 1966, Barbados left home. She was the jewel of the British colonies when she struck out on her own as an independent nation. It...

A Caribbean turkey …
I slept in this morning. When I awoke, Greg was dressed and heading out the door for his office. “But it’s Thanksgiving!” I called out after him.
Except that here in Barbados it’s just another fourth Thursday of another November. So while Bajans go...

When I walk through St Lawrence Gap where I live, I often pass by an elderly man who’s blind or nearly so shuffling along. He has his hand out and politely asks passersby for money. (On one occasion I gave him some change and he threw it aside, saying he preferred bills. Um, okay then …)...

Not the item in question, but there do exist sunglasses as tool/tools as sunglasses. So there!
Scene: St Lawrence Beach Condominiums, St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, Barbados
When: Two weeks ago
Characters: Window installer and me
Background info: Barbados has a 99.7% literacy rate, one of the highest in...

Out of the window of our Caribbean Air flight from Barbados to Jamaica yesterday, I snapped the beautiful coastline of Barbados with my iPhone. This is far north along the east coast, the Atlantic Ocean side of the island.
My generalizations about Bajans in Barbados continue … These are, of course,...

Like all groups of people, Barbadians have a personality and traditions unique to their culture. It’s only 8 a.m. but already I’ve encountered a couple of them. So while I sit here in the Barbados airport awaiting flight to Jamaica with Greg, I’ll share a few with you.
1. Barbadians call...

Gosh, Barbados is wonderful place to be. Such good-natured souls, a low crime rate, a fabulous climate, beauty all around, and, if not everything, then most of what a city girl like me needs to be comfortable. What Barbados may lack in department and upscale grocery stores it makes up for in creative...

The Caribbean islands are as different from one another as siblings in a family are. I’m in St Lucia with my husband Greg who’s here on business and I’m loving the jungly landscape, mountainous terrain, and beautiful inlets along the island’s west coast. The people are good-natured...

Grand Kadooment (Carnival) in Barbados is August 3, 2009
Colorful costumes, music competitions, crowning of kings and queens, and round-the-clock dancing & partying. That’s Barbados Kadooment, which has been ramping up in energy for four weeks and has one week to go, reaching its frenzied,...

My husband Greg called me yesterday afternoon around 3:00. He had just turned into the Gap. “Come downstairs right away,” he said urgently. “Bring your camera.”
Barefoot, I ran downstairs and out into the street just in time to see a troop of children rounding St Lawrence Gap at...

My take-aways from Trinidad Carnival:
First, the Trini people are as spirited a bunch as exist on this planet. They’re also talented, friendly, and welcoming.
Second, Carnival is primarily for the young – and not just because of the 24/7 adrenalin on tap. More on this later.
Trinidad...

I’m at my first Trinidad Carnival and from what I’ve seen so far — the children’s carnival and a steel pan competition — it’s a whirl of color, music, dance, competitions, and fun all occurring at typically inefficient Caribbean speed.
Did I say...

What’s with Barbados drivers and their horns?
My first morning ever in Barbados, a car passed I while I was out walking with a friend and sounded a trill from the car horn. Instinctively I glanced at the car sounding his horn.
My Bajan friend didn’t even look up. He knew the beep was not for...